HC Deb 24 October 1950 vol 478 cc2667-8
Mr. Speaker

Now I have some messages to read out to this House of Commons. The first is from the Legislative Assembly of the Sudan: The Legislative Assembly of the Sudan sends greetings and congratulations on the occasion of the re-occupation of their Chamber by the House of Commons. May they continue in the future, as in the past, to stand as an example before the world of the triumph of free speech, tolerance and the rights of the individual over tyranny and the rule of force and to light the paths of younger nations striving towards the practical realisation of the true democratic ideal.

MOHAMED SALEH SHINGEITI,

Speaker."

The next is from the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales: DEAR MR. SPEAKER, I have read with much interest cabled reports relating to the ceremony which will take place on the 26th October instant when the new House of Commons will be opened and dedicated to the service of the people of Great Britain. In anticipation of that event, it affords me pleasure, as the Speaker of the Lower House of the oldest legislature in Australasia, to offer you my felicitations on this historic occasion and my assurance that the interest and pride of myself and of the members of the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales in our enduring system of Parliamentary Government will be greatly stimulated by the ceremony shortly to take place at Westminster. It is a source of gratification and pleasure to all Australian parliamentarians that Australia's gift to the new House of Commons Chamber, the Speaker's Chair, will be such a direct and significant link between the Mother of Parliaments and the Parliaments of the States and Commonwealth of Australia. May I express the hope that the opening of the new Chamber will coincide with the commencement of what will prove to be a period of peace, progress and happiness for the people of Great Britain.

Yours sincerely, W. H. LAMB,

Speaker."

Now I have a Resolution of the Legislative Assembly of Victoria: That this House conveys to the Right Honourable the Speaker and the Members of the House of Commons greetings upon the opening of the new House of Commons and warmest wishes for the prosperity of the country which they serve, recalling with pride and gratitude the part played by that House throughout the centuries, and trusting that under the guidance of Divine Providence its deliberations will continue for the benefit of the people of the Commonwealth of Nations. Signed, ARCHIE MICHAELIS, Speaker.

The last is from the Colony and Protectorate of Kenya: The President and Members of the Legislative Council of the Colony and Protectorate of Kenya, assembled in the youngest city of the Commonwealth, convey, by the hand of their Speaker, an expression of the high regard and esteem, together with their congratulations on the opening of the reconstructed House of Commons Buildings. They, in common with all members of the Commonwealth, retain immense pride in the British Parliamentary Institutions, developed and annealed through the centuries and surviving, as they always will, international conflicts and social upheavals and serving as a model to the world. The Kenya Legislature will ever look to the traditions, constitution, procedure and dignity of the Mother of Parliaments for guidance and inspiration.

Signed, J. D. RANKINE,

Acting Governor."